Wow!

Sorry Stacy, I had to steal this. You guys have to watch this video. It makes me feel great to be Isaac's Mom.

Upsetness

I thought I'd start this post on a positive note and then continue in a not-so positive tone. So the pictures are the good stuff. My little cutie-pie!

I avoid using the word "throw-up" on my blog. Mostly because my Mom can't handle talk of bodily functions, and I had previously promised her that I would avoid getting "gross" on my blog.

For the sake of my Mom, I will finish this story using my famous "upsetness" (given its proper place after the car seat fiasco of a few weeks ago) in place of said throw-up.

So now I'll combine the word Cutie-pie and upsetness into one sentence.

The bad stuff is that Cutie-pie had some upsetness again last night. I was over at Andrea's, having dinner as both of our husbands are in Texas. Cutie-pie went from incredibly happy to upset in about two seconds. He started making the signs for please night-night over and over again. I guess I need to work on the sign for sick. Knowing Elijah was going to wake up any minute to eat and I'd have two babies who needed me without the comforts of our own home, I made an early exit from Andrea's.

Poor JB called just as Cutie-pie had some "upsetness" in his bedroom then again in the living room when I attempted to lead him to the kitchen. I quickly answered the phone, told hubby we'd have to talk later, and got a game plan underway. Elijah was laid down on his mat in the living room, Scrubs cornered in the kitchen, Cutie-pie sequestered to his crib, and Mommy assumed the position of scrub-master, trying to coat the carpets with cleaner and get the upsetness out of the Air Force's carpets. Unfortunately, Cutie-pie had eaten some very fun, colored goldfish at Andrea's. They made the upsetness quite interesting.

I put Cutie-pie to sleep only to hear him get up clearly not feeling well under an hour later. I propped Elijah on the couch and removed Cutie-pie from his crib, heading to the living room to watch some American Idol which he loves but we never let him watch. We snuggled in under his blanket and, you guessed it, upsetness all over Mommy and boy. After a shower, I set him on the ground with a towel draped over him only to observe that he was peeing on the floor. Oh sigh . . .

Did I mention I had woken up this morning to Scrubs' upsetness in the guest room as well?

Just a side-note there.

Anyways, needless to say, I am sooooo ready to have JB come home. I was going to have a friend spend the day with me today but she is getting ready to go on vacation, and I didn't want to jeopardize her vacation with an illness. I don't want to jeopardize anyone with an illness so I'll skip wifia today too and just hang out at home.

The great news is, tomorrow, JB comes home and he has a three-day weekend to boot! Last night made me even more ready for his return.

Anyways, hope this was tame enough for you Mom. Love you!

*** If you have a SNAPFISH account, you can view this awesome slide show Joia made for me! Her pictures are such a gift.

Keepin' busy

I made it a point to stay busy since Joan has left and JB is gone. And so far, so good.

Yesterday I took a trip to the bay and had a nice conversation with my Mom and Kristi on the phone. I also started getting my life in order for a busy Tuesday.

This morning I actually had two doctor's appointments. Jodi arrived at 8:15. By 8:30 I was out the door to see a specialist in Niceville for my appointment. I was back at my house at 10:00 to pick up Elijah and head to Fort Walton Beach for a 10:30 appointment at a pediatric therapy center for his head "issues". I was a little concerned that I could squeeze all this in at once, but I did it without losing my mind!

First of all, my appointment went well. As I have mentioned previously, I have decided not to discuss my "issues" on the blog. However, if you talk to me in person or via email, I am not shy in sharing. I am having some post-delivery complications that they are trying to sort out. This was an initial consultation. I have to call back on Thursday to see when they have scheduled my next appointment which will be some sort of dye/ultrasound/movie type thingy to look inside me.

While I am not getting into details, you can still pray that they quickly find the reason for some of my discomfort. The doctor today was a very funny older gentleman from Pakistan. He made me laugh and left me feeling very comfortable and encouraged that they can get to the bottom of things. I'm staying positive and trying to keep my spirits up.

As for Elijah, the therapist said that his head "issues" are fairly minor, and she did not foresee that he would have to wear a helmet. I was glad to hear that. Jenny was an awesome gal and a fantastic Christian as well. When she told me I would have to return weekly, I was a bit frustrated by the prospect of getting out of the house with both kids once a week. However, I am excited to work with her.

Elijah's main problem is that he always faces right. People have made all sorts of suggestions for correcting this but let me tell you folks, it ain't as easy at it seems. The kid will gladly stare at the wall rather than turn to the left. All the shiny dangly things mean diddly to him if they are on his left side. Jenny gave me some exercises to do with him which he absolutely HATED! After one of the exercises, he got incredibly beat red in the face and screamed for fifteen minutes with not a moment's break! She encouraged me to push him but to know his limits. I think his limit was one second before that last exercise started. Yikes! Elijah is one stubborn and determined little man. He knows what he wants and expresses it with great vigor. He did NOT want to participate in any neck stretching activities, that's for sure.

Also, on the topic of doctor's appointments, Isaac had his one year appointment last week. He is the pinnacle of good health but due to his recent bad experiences at the clinic, was incredibly unhappy anytime we laid him on the table for even one little second. He is right on target with all his milestones. He and Dr. G. are definitely not the best of friends right now. One thing we discussed was how to wean him to the cup. Isaac will take a few sips from a cup but the non-spill ones he can't suck out of and the spill ones saturate him. All the books to say pack up the bottles and get them out of the house. That's not going to work in a house that has another little baby. Every time Isaac sees Elijah's bottle he begins vigorously making the sign for please! Dr. G. told me not to stress about it. It may take a little longer due to the inclusion of Elijah and his bottles, but we'll get there eventually. I felt better about this and am going to cut myself some slack on getting Isaac off the bottle. I have to keep my life simple right now.

I spoke to JB last night. He is doing great but anxious to get home. We are anxious to have him home. I can't wait to see him on Thursday!

The proof is in the pudding!

So what do you think? Has our boy chunked up since getting his feeding fixed or what?

April 10

May 11

From the mouths of babes

Isn't this new car I got for my birthday great?

I love diapers!


Again, like I told you, diapers are cool!

If my head wasn't so heavy, I think I could roll over!

Are my cheeks as fat as my brother's yet?

Awwww Mom!

Can you believe my Mommy can nap while there are all these toys to play with?

All right already. I know I look like my Daddy.

Sorry. Just needed to stretch.

I get to play in my room. This is the best day ever!

Uhhh, Mommy, the big Scrubby is trying to eat my little Scrubby.

Don't you love my new lion p.j.'s from Joanie?

Do I look like I belong in the circus with this bowl on my head?

Isaac you are the funniest big brother ever!

So, uh, when you gonna let the little guy sit next to me in the swing Ma?

[No babies were speaking during this photo]

I love lunch at Boathouse Landing. (See Joia, I can remember the name even if my Mommy can't.)

While no one is looking I think I can take a sip of this water.

When can I have some hushpuppies?

Enough with these pictures! It's time to eat.

Again. Seriously. Where's my food?

Hot summer days

Behind the back pity party

Isaac has been walking with his hands behind his back. It is the cutest thing. Somehow Joan managed to capture it on camera not once but twice. Too cute.

Speaking of Joan, she left this morning. She blessed me by staying until about 9:30am. This turned out to be a bigger gift than either she or I could imagine. First of all, she heard Scrubs whining to go out at 3:30am (I had given him a bone that had bothered his stomach). I had shut the gate and my bedroom door and was sleeping on JB's side of the bed near the fan. I would have never heard him! Had she not heard him, we could have had a large mess in the kitchen upon waking up.

Then, when Elijah got up at 4am, she took him from me and gave him a bottle at 4 and 7 while I slept until 7:15! Glorious! I woke up at the same time as Isaac, and Joan then helped me get both boys fed, bathed, and changed and then watched them while I ran around doing all the things I knew I couldn't do when she left. It really helped to have here an extra morning. She could have left at the crack of down so I am blessed by this.

Many people have asked how Joan handles being around Isaac. Or how I handle her being her since she is Bri's mom. I can't explain it to anyone on the outside, but it just works so well. I do not feel in any way that Joan or Bri's involvement in our lives is intrusive. It's a blessing! They will always play a special role in the lives of not only Isaac but any other children we have. That's just how close our families are. And Joan loves my boys! I think it is important to understand that Joan would have played a very special role in the lives of any children I had. She loves being around Elijah equally to being around Isaac. She quickly acknowledges to anyone who asks or comments that Isaac is our son. She just feels incredibly blessed to know where he is and be able to watch him grow up.

In fact, in speaking of blessings, I am reminded everyday how much I need people in my life. Joan coming was an amazing blessing. She may not think much of it, but she took time out of her life to hang out with me and change dirty diapers for four days. My mother-in-law, Mom and Joan have been invaluable to me during the last few months. Each time they have given up time with their husbands and from their lives to help me. What would we do in this world without friends and family?

As Joan drove away today, I had a small pity party for myself. How much easier it would be if we lived by family. What if I could just call an aunt or a grandma or a Joan for a reprieve or some company? I think I am especially feeling this because some of the people that have been the most helpful to me during the lives of my two boys: Brittney and Bobbie (and her girls) are getting ready to move very soon.

Brittney is one of those people that can add a child or two or three to her life and not miss a step. She was such a help with Isaac in the months preceding, during, and following Elijah's birth. Anytime I called she figured out a way to include him in her day, helping replace the family I don't have here. Brittney and her family will be heading north in just a few months.

Bobbie and her girls have done the same. Their family is actually preparing to pack up in just a few weeks. I have to be honest when I say that I am having trouble taking Scrubs over to the bay lately. I find myself tearing up every time I walk over there. I told Bobbie the other day that her family has been like a security blanket to me with these two babies in my home. I always know that if I am at the end of my rope with either the boys or Scrubs, I can call on them. If I need to run out for a moment, I can call on them. If I need anything, I can call on them.

Don't get me wrong, we have other wonderful friends here that I can depend on as well. Lots of them. But these are two families that have really blessed our lives during our time here at Eglin. I know the Lord has great plans for their families and I am excited to see where he takes them next, but Joan's departure initiated a little pity party this morning.

I wish there was a way I'd be okay living in South Florida again. I wish we could see my Dad and Mom every week. John's parents every week. But not only is there not a base there for us to go to, but we just could not return to that rat race. The pace of life, the over crowding, the expense of things, and the crime just equal up to a life we do not want to return to, despite the fact that all of our family is there.

I've got a lot planned the next few days and I'll be keeping busy. Which is good since I am feeling just a wee bit sad right now. It'll pass quickly I'm sure. I'm just missing family right now and knowing that it will be many years before we can see them more than every few months.

P.S. Joan took a lot of pics while she was here so stay tuned. I'll be posting blogs featuring her snaps quite often in the days to come.

Babysitting

Last night Joan and I braved it and added two kids to our little brood. Keenan and Moriah came over so that their parents could go to a concert. Other than a little blip in the beginning when Moriah was either tired or hungry or both and I ran her up to the concert for Joia to feed her, it went wonderfully! Once she ate she was as happy as could be and all smiles! Keenan played so nice with Isaac and I got to snuggle little Moriah to sleep. Neither of my boys are huge snugglers so this was a treat. Here are a few quick pics from the night. We meant to take more but we were a little bit busy! :)

Lil' Dalmatian

Joia gave us this cute little Dalmatian outfit right after Moriah was born. In fact, the present included a note from Moriah to Elijah to "Come on out! The world is great." Little Elijah wasn't so interested in coming out though, as we all know.

Now that he is out and finally big enough, we put him in the outfit and got some pictures today. I have to attribute the success to Joanie who is always up for a challenge. Dog and baby and costume all in one photo! Whew! I'm tired even thinking about it.

Thanks for the cute outfit Joia!

This picture cracks me up! As my Mother-in-law said when she saw this picture, "My Scrubby, what a big tongue you have!" I think Elijah does NOT think this is a good idea.

Not sure where the fuzzy part of these pictures came from. Either the window or Elijah moving his feet really fast. But I love his little smile here.

Mom hanging out in the background.

Cute ears!

Take a look at that tongue!

Cheerio smiles

Okay so truth be told it wasn't really the cheerioes he was eating that caused these smiles but Mommy playing peek-a-boo behind the camera. I'm so happy to see my little guy back to himself and laughing like old times.

JB leaves :( & Joanie arrives :)

JB is in San Antonio. He called last night. He is very hot and missing us a lot. We are missing him too. Especially Isaac. He keeps looking out the window saying "Da-Da." Ugggh. Da-Da is in Texas Isaac. I don't think he understands that.

JB left at 5:30 yesterday morning and Joan (Bri's mom) drove in right after lunchtime! One great thing is that Isaac is totally himself with Joanie here. I have realized that his attachment issues when my in-laws were in town was probably due to him not feeling well as he isn't acting that way at all now. Whew! This allows me a bit of a freedom to take a shower or walk out of the room without a flood of tears.

I'm so blessed that Joan is able to spend a few days here. This morning she was awake when Elijah woke up at 5:30 and took over so I could go back to bed. How awesome is that?! And, as always, Joan is ever faithful with whipping out the camera -- meaning we will all get to see some great pics over the next few days. These are all of Isaac, but don't worry, we'll get some of Elijah too.

Here are just a few:

Isaac with his birthday gifts from his birthmom Bri. Thanks Bri! We used the bath toys last night and he loved the octupus and especially the turtle!

This is a new game Isaac and Scrubs play throughout the day. Isaac grabs Scrubs tail, and Scrubs proceeds to attempt to "take it back."

Joan gave Isaac pajamas for his birthday. Aren't these just the cutest?! Here's Isaac playing with me in his pj's in the hallway. Excuse the workout clothes. We had gone for a run earlier.

Here is one of Isaac's birthday gifts from Daddy and Mommy -- some fun blocks. We bought him a few other things as well but haven't even given them to him yet as he has so many other new things to play with.

My gift to blog readers

Our friend Jamie gave us a gift certificate for a photo shoot at Olan Mills back when Isaac was born. When we learned that Elijah was on the way, we decided to save the shoot for a time when we could take both of them.

Easter Sunday we got photos taken (below) of the two boys. Ordering sheets was expensive so I didn't think I'd be able to give many out. But then I learned that I could buy the CD. That means I can take the CD and order photos on SNAPFISH for muchhhh cheaper.

We never did birth announcements for Elijah. We were just so busy and tired that we were only dealing with the mandatory things in our life. Since three months have now gone by, I have decided that instead of doing birth announcements, I'm going to get pictures for anyone who would like them. Trust me, this will be TONS cheaper than birth announcements so don't feel bad about ordering some prints. Consider it my gift to you for being a part of my blog family.

So, if you would like to have a photo, let me know. Simply view the photos below and then leave a comment with your order. Here are some points to note:

• If you don't think I have your address and you don't live near me, please give me your address or email address.
• I plan to only order wallets or 4 x 6 prints. If you'd like something larger, I'll get it for you, but you'll have to pay for that! 5 x 7 and 8 x 10's get expensive!
• My personal favorites are H, C, and D.
• Please note that the label for each photo is on top of it.
• Make sure you tell me which photo/s you want and which sizes you want.
• Also, don't feel badly about placing an order. Consider it a gift for reading my blog! With snapfish, I don't mind making an order. Through Olanmills, wayyyy too expensive.
• If you'd prefer to just receive an electronic copy of the picture so you can order some for yourself, I can do that too. When I get the CD, I can just email you a copy of the photo/s you like. Make sure you leave your email address.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H